WordPress 3.6.0 introduced the Heartbeat API. It’s the backbone to some of the new features such as session management, better revision management, post locking, auto-saving and more. Unfortunately, it also introduced increased CPU usage when logged into the WordPress Dashboard.

The issue lies in the way the Heartbeat API works. When logged in, your browser sends a POST request to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php every 15 seconds when your tab is active and every 120 seconds when your tab is in the background. Since it’s sending a POST request, it’s spawning a new PHP process. This isn’t so much an issue if you have a single tab open but the problem lays for users who like to keep multiple tabs open at a time while logged in to the Dashboard. Take a look at the following POST request data:

Although unrelated to systems administration, I wanted to share some instructions for getting Mac OS X 10.9.2+ installed on a specific set of PC parts (mostly the motherboard). Your milage may vary. I am not responsible for any issues you come across!

This article assumes you have the following components in your PC:

GA-Z87-D3HP

i5 4670

Geforce GTX 660

The type of processor should not be much of an issue (i3, i5 or i7), however, your installation may vary depending on the graphics card.

This article uses TonyMacX86’s guides and software to get everything working properly. You will need a USB drive of at least 8 GB in capacity and a Mac to install the OS installer onto the USB Drive.